Business Meeting

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

The one contested vote was about how long affordable housing has to stay affordable, and it passed 4-3.

A nonprofit developer asked the county to request $100,000 from the regional managed care organisation to buy four units at Weaver's Grove as supportive housing for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities at 30 percent of area median income or below. The disagreement was between a five-year and a thirty-year affordability commitment. Members in favour argued the thirty-year period already exists in the developer's separate agreement with Chapel Hill, and pointed to its record on two other projects. Three commissioners voted no. One who voted yes said he was disappointed the board would not take a few more days to settle the five-versus-thirty question definitively.

That purchase is what required the county to amend the 2003 restrictive covenant on Weaver's Grove, which it did on 28 July: the original $250,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity required every lot be built for homeownership, and these units are rentals.

The financing resolution authorises up to $32,000,000 of installment purchase financing, drawn from a larger preliminary determination of about $60.8 million made at a hearing on 5 May. Asked how movement in Treasury rates affects the county's timing and long-term debt service, the finance officer said the 5 percent planning rate stands, advisors are watching the market, there is nothing like last year's level of concern, and the county's credit profile means no significant budgetary impact is expected.

The federal housing plan allocates a $381,456 award which, with match and programme income and less a 10 percent administration allowance, gives the consortium about $450,000. Only two applications came in and both were funded: $180,000 in full to Habitat for Humanity for repair and rehabilitation, and $271,981 to a homelessness partnership for tenant-based rental assistance. Staff apologised for adding two required resolutions to the packet late, noting he had filed them in August the previous year and is improving on timeliness.

How the votes went

The Weaver's Grove supportive housing request passed 4-3, with Commissioners Bedford, Greene, McKee and Vice-Chair Fowler in favour and Commissioners Carter, Portie-Ascott and Chair Hamilton against. Everything else was unanimous, including the $32 million financing resolution and the federal housing plan.

From the published minutes.